“Fish eye?”

Gu Qingmei also saw those three large characters above, vividly colored as if written in blood, and couldn’t help but contemplate.

Jian Chou looked back and saw that everyone had come up.

Qin Lang and Zhou Qingyun stood side by side, their expressions filled with vigilance, while Zhao Bianzhou, holding an iron hook, kept peering inside, seemingly trying to see through what was within.

Qian Que’s eyes were gleaming: “Two fairies, we shouldn’t just stand here. I feel like our luck has come!”

His true nature was exposed…

Jian Chou glanced at him and laughed inwardly.

However, Gu Qingmei’s attention wasn’t on Qian Que at the moment. Moreover, she didn’t understand this “Meng Xizhou” person, so naturally couldn’t suspect Qian Que.

So, at least for now, everything was relatively safe.

Jian Chou said: “This hall is named Fish Eye Tomb, and there happens to be a fish eye in the hall. It’s just that the Withered Leaf Vines from earlier have disappeared without a trace. When we came here before, this place showed no unusual activity. Now that we’ve seen the strangeness of this place, even if there are opportunities, they come with layers of danger. We are in the first trial of the minor competition. There are only so many Heaven-Connecting Platforms total, and no one knows what the situation is outside. Logically, we shouldn’t be trapped in one place—finding other people and passing through quickly should be our priority.”

Speaking to this point, she paused, her gaze upon everyone remaining gentle.

Gu Qingmei’s mind was fairly sharp—she had vaguely understood Jian Chou’s meaning.

She didn’t speak.

Jian Chou continued: “In my opinion, it’s better not to enter this Fish Eye Tomb. However, we eight are one group and should advance and retreat together. My words alone don’t count—what are everyone’s opinions?”

For a moment, everyone was torn.

That Zhao Bianzhou, hearing Jian Chou’s words, looked at her twice more. Seeing that everyone was silent and not taking a stance, he spoke first.

“Earlier, Immortal Gu said that these Withered Leaf Vines only grow by absorbing spiritual energy from decomposing bodies after cultivators die. This patch of Withered Leaf Vines is so demonic—clearly, there must be heavy treasures hidden within. However, Zhao thinks that those high-cultivation cultivators shouldn’t exist anymore. I’m afraid the power source for the Withered Leaf Vines’ growth comes from this great hall.”

Jian Chou immediately looked toward him. Seeing this person’s methodical appearance, she was already frowning inwardly.

The several people around were already wavering and quite conflicted.

Actually, for them, participating in the Left Three Thousand Minor Competition didn’t have such great significance. Most would rank at the back with countless formidable opponents ahead—the possibility of ascending to the One Person Platform was extremely low.

Everyone yearned for the One Person Platform, but it was mostly for a dream in their hearts, for the attention of everyone in the Central Domain.

For Central Domain cultivators, the Left Three Thousand Minor Competition was a feast they could never miss.

But such a feast where they couldn’t enjoy the final fruits was insignificant before a possible heavy treasure.

Zhao Bianzhou continued: “A mere fish eye requiring such a terrifying great hall as its tomb—from this, its power can already be seen. We happen to encounter this—how do we know it’s not an opportunity that Elder Fudao set up for us? Moreover…”

Speaking thus, he smiled and looked toward Jian Chou, seeming extremely sincere.

However, this person’s eyes carried a few points of sinister gloom that Jian Chou really couldn’t like.

He said: “We are at the Left Three Thousand Minor Competition. No matter what, we don’t need to worry about losing our lives, right?”

Everyone became even more silent.

Qian Que looked at Jian Chou, then at Zhao Bianzhou, clearly becoming conflicted.

But Gu Qingmei showed some interest in her eyes—this Zhao Bianzhou could actually be considered quite a character. The meaning of these words wasn’t so simple.

Although this Yashan eldest senior sister’s ranking was truly willful and unreasonable, who could deny her identity as Fudao Shanren’s chief disciple?

Not to mention she was the one with hope of competing for the One Person Platform while others had little possibility—just her identity as Fudao Shanren’s chief disciple was sufficient.

This Misty Sky was released by Fudao Shanren, with two great masters overseeing the situation on the hillside. They absolutely couldn’t allow the current leader figure of Yashan’s new generation to perish in a trial.

If any accident occurred, Fudao Shanren wouldn’t stand by idly. Then the rest of them could also benefit, and wouldn’t face death when encountering danger.

The meaning Gu Qingmei could hear, Jian Chou could naturally hear as well.

The identity of Yashan’s eldest senior sister was an honor, but at the same time, it could become a point easily exploited by others.

Jian Chou smiled, neither angry nor annoyed, speaking peacefully: “Fellow Daoist Zhao’s words also have merit. Why don’t we eight decide together whether to enter and explore?”

“I naturally support going in.” Zhao Bianzhou was the first to speak.

Qian Que rubbed his plump palm against the long staff used for disguise, pondering for a long time before finally reaching a difficult conclusion: “Having opportunities and not fighting for them would be foolish. Meng also wants to go in and take a look. There must be many other things in this great hall.”

“In that case, we two also agree to go in.”

Qin Lang and Zhou Qingyun were Dao companions who advanced and retreated together. After discussing for a while, they also gave their result.

Among the eight people, four had already chosen to enter.

This result was within Jian Chou’s expectations. She calmly turned her head to look at Gu Qingmei: “What about Junior Sister Gu?”

Gu Qingmei smiled: “I don’t mind going in or not—I’ll just follow everyone.”

That is to say, whatever the final result, she would follow along.

These words seemed to have no bias, but actually…

When Jian Chou asked this question at the crucial moment when four people had already agreed to enter, it carried intention—this was the most critical answer.

On this answer, Gu Qingmei chose to abstain. Appearing neutral, she had actually chosen Zhao Bianzhou’s side. But on the surface, she was a neutral peacemaker.

With a turn of her thoughts, Jian Chou understood everything.

The subsequent result basically didn’t need further guessing.

The remaining two ordinary cultivators also very directly chose to “agree to enter.”

Thus, the final result was one opposed, one abstaining, six agreeing—the eight people would enter to take a look.

“It seems we’re going to explore the Fish Eye Tomb.”

While speaking, Jian Chou looked back toward that great hall. At this distance of twenty-odd zhang, she couldn’t see clearly what was inside the hall.

The eight people carefully reformed their formation and approached that white bone great hall.

The journey was peaceful.

The previous Withered Leaf Vines seemed to have completely retreated, leaving not a trace.

The calmer it was before a storm, the more peaceful it appeared.

Everyone gripped their weapons tightly. Only Jian Chou was empty-handed, appearing somewhat out of place.

Gu Qingmei suddenly asked: “Where is eldest senior sister’s Liwai Mirror?”

“Half broken.”

Jian Chou answered faintly, simultaneously realizing: Gu Qingmei didn’t know she had the Ghost Axe, or even if she knew, wasn’t particularly clear about it. After all, until now, what she used most was the Liwai Mirror. Especially since the Liwai Mirror’s grade wasn’t low, everyone would subconsciously ignore the Ghost Axe and think the Liwai Mirror was her main magical artifact.

Not thinking of the axe was a good thing.

Jian Chou answered and smiled: “But I have legs—you needn’t worry. We’ve arrived…”

The Fish Eye Tomb was right before them.

Those bright red characters, every stroke clear and distinct, seemed to have seeped into those white bones under the baptism of vast years.

Seen up close, it truly was a giant fish skull.

The large fish mouth still had two rows of fierce teeth at the upper and lower ends of the door. Standing beneath this door, they actually had the illusion that these two rows of teeth would close, making them tremble with fear!

“Look, there are characters on the steps!”

Qian Que suddenly pointed toward the ground, sharp-eyed in discovering rows of carved characters on the ground.

Everyone looked where he pointed—these characters were extremely clear but quite ancient.

“To show future generations.”

“Unchanging infatuation ultimately brings disaster; uncut worldly bonds bring empty fetters.”

“Why bother mixing pearls in the mundane world? Who can compete with the fish eye that peers at heaven!”

“Laugh at worldly people’s painful infatuation. Yet heaven and earth are unkind—all things are straw dogs! Humans follow heaven; the Dao follows nature.”

“Today I establish the Fish Bone Hall, create the Fish Eye Tomb, wishing to bury all seven emotions and six desires under heaven, making all our cultivator generation achieve the great Dao!”

These were clearly the most mundane words, yet everyone felt boundless sharpness from every stroke.

And also…

Heaven and earth are unkind—all things are straw dogs.

Humans follow heaven; the Dao follows nature!

Following nature—what was that?

In Jian Chou’s mind, a person’s figure flashed instantly, a sword’s light, that cold clothing corner soaked with rain that brushed her fingertips…

At that moment, her gaze at these lines of text suddenly turned cold.

Long ago when entering cultivation, Fudao Shanren had said: cut off worldly bonds to seek immortals and ask about the Dao.

First there was a Xie Buchen, now seeing these words left who knows how many years ago, she knew most of the Nineteen Zhou cultivated this way.

Abandoning all seven emotions and six desires, keeping only the Heavenly Dao in one’s heart?

Seeking immortals and asking about the Dao—was this the kind of “immortal” being sought, this the kind of “Dao” being asked about?

A contemptuous smile suddenly appeared at her lips.

Through these few lines, Jian Chou had roughly guessed why this Fish Eye Tomb came to be.

Behind her, Gu Qingmei was also savoring the taste within each word and sentence. Upon seeing that line “laugh at worldly people’s painful infatuation,” she somehow felt empathy and became melancholy.

Qian Que only glanced briefly, uninterested in the Fish Eye Tomb’s origins, only saying: “Probably left by some great cultivator. Looking at these characters, they’re at least from late ancient times…”

Jian Chou didn’t listen to his rambling and directly stepped forward onto the steps.

Those characters on the ground were immediately trampled under her feet.

Others were still studying word by word, character by character—who would have thought they’d suddenly see Jian Chou walk up, precisely blocking these characters, leaving them utterly shocked!

She showed not a trace of respect for this predecessor who left the words!

If she was going to walk over, she could have gone around the side, but to just step over them like that, truly…

What a temper!

Qian Que, who was still rambling, was like someone being choked by the neck. Seeing Jian Chou’s behavior, he nearly couldn’t catch his breath and almost choked to death!

Several people looked at each other, feeling this Yashan eldest senior sister was actually unpredictable in her moods, hard to fathom—someone easy to get along with but not easy to approach.

Gu Qingmei was also somewhat surprised.

Watching Jian Chou step over that patch of text without any ripples, as if stepping on someone’s face step by step—this kind of silence, this style of conduct, somehow gave her an indescribably familiar feeling.

But searching her memory carefully, she couldn’t recall when she had known such a person.

With pressing matters at hand, Gu Qingmei had no time to think deeply. She walked around those characters and followed Jian Chou’s steps.

Walking past those two rows of fierce teeth on the ground, they stood on the floor inside the great hall.

Jian Chou looked around and saw the entire floor was bone-white like the outer walls, but because it was inside the fish skull, it was uneven.

The hall’s ceiling was like a cave’s dome, with many bone spikes protruding irregularly. Since no external light could enter, it appeared gloomy and terrifying.

Around the area were many simple, crude wooden long tables with some long-extinguished candles toppled on them, and some dust-covered fruit plates that seemed to have once held things but had turned to dust in the flow of time.

This great hall built from a fish skull actually seemed to show traces of human habitation.

In the center of the great hall, one zhang high, floated the fish eye everyone had seen before.

About two inches in diameter, spherical, entirely bone-white but without luster—even the light it emitted was somewhat dim, unable to illuminate the darkness above.

It slowly rotated and floated, seemingly completely unaware of everyone’s arrival.

Only directly beneath it grew a clump of green grass, each blade thin and pointed, like long, slender worms gently swaying under the fish eye’s illumination.

There were no signs of danger around.

But Jian Chou’s gaze, after passing over the fish eye, immediately moved to the depths of this clump of “green grass.”

Gu Qingmei walked to Jian Chou’s side. Seeing this, she immediately showed a surprised expression: “Such a small patch… could it be…”

“I’m afraid so.”

Looking around, there was nothing else that could possibly be Withered Leaf Vines.

Jian Chou stopped moving, no longer walking forward. Her body emanated a hazy white light as she raised her vigilance to the highest level.

Behind them, everyone else followed in.

“Huh, there really are no ambushes.”

Seeing the two in front were fine, Qian Que relaxed and stepped in, immediately shocked by the scene within the hall.

“Could it not be a fish monster? How does this look like it has arrangements? Could it have been arranged by that predecessor who left the words? So thoughtful—like a young lady.”

The others were speechless at his words, secretly rolling their eyes at Qian Que.

Qian Que didn’t mind and looked around everywhere.

That Zhao Bianzhou also entered, looking at the surrounding items. Seeing Jian Chou standing before that fish eye with no good opportunity to approach, he walked around the perimeter and said: “It seems there really aren’t any other dangers in this Misty Sky. After all, they can’t play with our lives…”

Clang.

He picked up an ancient bronze lamp stand. Unexpectedly, the entire lamp stand broke directly where he gripped it, crashing onto the table surface with a loud noise.

Everyone looked toward him.

The next moment, under everyone’s gaze, the wooden table that was struck let out a difficult “creak,” then collapsed with a crash, becoming a pile of dust and rotten wood!

Zhao Bianzhou held only half a rotten lamp stand, momentarily speechless.

Qian Que couldn’t help but laugh “Ha!” and said: “Cough, it seems there really aren’t any good things in this Fish Eye Tomb. Who knows how many years old these things are—lasting thousands and tens of thousands of years, maintaining their appearance is already quite good. Right?”

Speaking thus, he casually glanced around and saw that fruit plate filled with ash.

Qian Que reached out, and the moment he touched the fruit plate, that large plate turned to flying ash!

“Cough cough cough!”

Too much dust rose up, immediately choking him.

The other several people also began looking around everywhere, trying to find useful things in the surroundings.

Of course, everyone’s peripheral vision monitored Jian Chou and Gu Qingmei standing in front of the fish eye, constantly watching their movements.

“Does Junior Sister Gu also think this clump of fine grass is the Withered Leaf Vines we saw outside before?”

Jian Chou asked.

Gu Qingmei frowned, somewhat hesitant, as if finding this matter too incredible.

“The Withered Leaf Vines’ main body is extremely large, but this clump before us looks too small no matter how you see it. Moreover, normal Withered Leaf Vines are just thicker and longer, but I always feel… this clump is like a living creature.”

Once the words “living creature” were spoken, that sinister feeling became even more intense.

Jian Chou and the others had all personally witnessed the scene when the Withered Leaf Vines retracted—clearly they were things with life and sensation that then disappeared without a trace.

Now there was only one possibility—

This small clump before them was indeed the Withered Leaf Vines, which could explain how countless heaven-reaching vines had suddenly disappeared.

The Withered Leaf Vines were beneath the fish eye, with the fish eye’s light shining upon them, seemingly providing nourishment.

And the Withered Leaf Vines were precisely the fish eye’s perfect protection.

Just like when heaven and earth produce spiritual objects, there are generally some powerful spirit monsters nearby for protection that ordinary people cannot approach.

The current Withered Leaf Vines and fish eye were probably the same principle.

“Why bother mixing pearls in the mundane world—who can compete with the fish eye that peers at heaven…” Gu Qingmei slowly recited the lines they had seen on the steps initially, saying: “That predecessor left words saying ‘fish eye peers at heaven’—I’m afraid this fish eye has quite an origin. But how could a mere fish eye, even if similar to a monster core or magical artifact, peer at heaven?”

This was also Jian Chou’s confusion.

She stared fixedly at this fish eye for a long time. When her gaze shifted, she suddenly saw Zhao Bianzhou had walked to the wall at the very back of the great hall.

Unlike the hall’s surroundings filled with various objects, beneath this front wall there was nothing at all—only a three-chi hanging painting.

The painting depicted a gentle woman standing on seaside rocks, holding a round pearl in her hands, her face showing a soft smile.

The person who painted this seemed extremely careful when outlining her contours—every stroke revealed a kind of careful, meticulous attention.

Even though the painting paper had yellowed with age, even though the originally deep ink marks had become blurred, even though the painting technique seemed somewhat crude, it was difficult to hide that kind of beauty that emerged through the paper.

Zhao Bianzhou stood beneath this painting, not very interested in the woman in the painting. His gaze fell downward and immediately saw the dark red scroll rods above and below the painting.

The rod body appeared smooth with a subtle luster. The dark red color wasn’t murky—rather, because the red inside was too pure, layered together, it appeared dark.

At first glance, he knew this was something good.

After focusing to examine it briefly, Zhao Bianzhou couldn’t control himself and exclaimed: “It’s actually blood coral!”

His exclamation immediately drew everyone’s attention.

At this very moment, Zhao Bianzhou was already reaching out toward that painting’s scroll rod without hesitation!

Jian Chou’s gaze had originally been on that painting, trying to discern some clues from it. Being hung in the center of the Fish Eye Tomb with nothing else around was enough to show this painting’s special nature.

Her mind immediately flashed rapidly through what she had seen on the steps!

Unchanging infatuation ultimately brings disaster; uncut worldly bonds bring empty fetters!

A flash of inspiration suddenly exploded in the depths of Jian Chou’s mind.

“Don’t touch it!”

Seeing Zhao Bianzhou had already reached out, Jian Chou shouted loudly!

Star light blazed brilliantly at her brow, already radiating great radiance. The Ghost Axe instantly appeared, tightly gripped in her hand!

However, it was too late.

The moment Zhao Bianzhou’s hand grasped the blood coral scroll rod, the entire great hall suddenly filled with emerald green!

Countless vines madly emerged from that small clump of grass, overwhelming the sky and earth, shooting toward eight directions in the hall—toward eight people!

An angry, hoarse voice rang out desolately in this Fish Eye Tomb: “Insult my A’Rou—death without mercy!”

Bang!

Countless vines erupted, immediately striking toward everyone!

Jian Chou’s protective spiritual light blazed as her entire person was enveloped in a halo. Only that nearly one-zhang-tall Ghost Axe was held in her hand, bringing forth a fierce giant shadow, blood-red rust marks projecting endless ghostly shadows!

Howl!

One axe strike!

Standing beside Jian Chou, Gu Qingmei only felt a powerful aura that shook heaven and earth suddenly explode from her side!

Familiar…

Shockingly familiar.

At that moment, she actually forgot to resist the Withered Leaf Vines attacking her front, only turning her head to look—

An axe shadow, fierce and magnificent, instantly occupied her entire field of vision…